Maximising Success at Specialty Interviews

The time of year when specialty interviews take place is fast approaching.  Whether this will be your first specialty interview or you have attended several before, interviews can be a nerve-wracking experience.  Successful candidates prepare thoroughly and perform well on the day.  The tips below are intended to support your preparation and may also be useful if you are applying for clinical fellow or locum posts later in the year. 

1. Prepare well in advance

The time between receiving an invitation to interview and the interview itself is often short - sometimes only a few weeks.  Waiting to begin preparation until you are invited, for example after sitting the MSRA, can mean losing valuable time.  Many aspects of interview preparation take time, particularly developing and refining your interview technique.  Starting early will maximise opportunities for practice and allow you to build confidence gradually. 

2. Practise with anyone and everyone

Practice is key to performing well at interview, and the more practice you do, the better.  Actively seek out opportunities for mock interviews, as most people are happy to help if asked.  Ideally, you should practise with a range of individuals, including recently successful candidates and more experienced doctors in your chosen specialty, such as senior registrars or consultants.  Your educational supervisor can also be a valuable source of guidance and feedback. 

A typical UK specialty interview lasts around 20–30 minutes.  During this time, interviewers aim to cover a wide range of topics while keeping strictly to time. Practising under timed conditions will help you structure concise answers and become comfortable with being interrupted as interviewers move on to the next question. 

3. Familiarise yourself with your specialty’s scoring matrix

Specialty interviews are scored against predefined criteria, which are usually published in advance by the relevant college or recruitment body.  A clear understanding of this scoring matrix is essential to scoring well.  Take time to review it carefully and map your portfolio and experience to each domain.  When practising, structure your answers around the scoring criteria and ask your mock interviewers to assess your responses accordingly.  This ensures your answers are focused, relevant, and targeted. 

4. Manage and use performance anxiety

Interviews can be anxiety-provoking for several reasons.  Interview panels often consist of consultants you have not met before, and your performance directly influences whether you are successful in your specialty application. 

Some anxiety can be helpful, as it encourages preparation and sharpens focus.  However, excessive anxiety can negatively affect performance, so learning to manage it is important.  Ahead of the interview, practising with consultants or others who feel professionally intimidating can help you become more comfortable under pressure.  On the day itself, practical steps - such as getting some fresh air, eating beforehand, and ensuring you have attended to basic needs - can make a significant difference. 

Simple techniques such as box breathing (used by Navy SEALs) can also help regulate anxiety and improve focus.  This involves breathing in, holding, breathing out, and holding again for equal counts, and can be practised discreetly at any time. 

Dr. Ralph Shakleton